Golf club



June 25, 1935. c. H. GRELLE GOLF CLUB Filed June i12, 1934 INVENToR Charles H. Grelle By /g ATTogEY Patented June 25, 1935 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i 2,005,915 i i GOLF CLUB Charles H. Grelle, Mount Carmel, Conn. Application June 12, 1934, Serial No. 730,194 16 claims. (c1. 27s-s1) This invention relates to golf clubs, and more disclosed in a previous application by the same particularly to a club designed for use in pracinventor, Serial No. 658,110, filed February 23, tic-,ing the game of golf to facilitate the develop- 1933. i ment of a smooth back swing and body turn, and In learning to play golf,` the Abeginner usually the delayed application of the right-hand attempts to strike the ball with his club dominated 5 punch on the down swing until the moment of by his right hand, the result being that his stroke impact. p lacks the proper rhythm and smoothness. i Thel One object of this invention is to provide a golf purpose of the present invention is to cause the club of the above nature having a gripping secclub handle to become displaced or break during tion for the players right hand which will become the stroke unless the club is swung properly under 10 displaced or detached if force is applied to the the control of the left hand. By means of this club in making the stroke without the proper simple and psitive indiCatiOn, the player iS enrhythm. abled to quickly learn the proper method of A further object is to provide a practice golf swinging the club with the minimum of assistance club, the use of which will train the left arm and from an instructor. 15

hand of the player to assume control of the club Referring nOW t0 the drawing in WhiCh like in order to produce a perfect golf swing, I reference numerals denote corresponding parts A further object is to provide a club of the thrOllghOut the Several VeW's,\the numeral I0 nabove nature which will prevent the right hand` diCateS a Slightly tapered tubular Shaft OfSteel.

from dominating and spoiling the swing. 0r Other Suitable material, haVing a head ll af- 20 Afurther object is to provide a club of the above iixed to the lower end thereof. The shaft In of nai-ure in which the detachable section of the the present invention differs from the Ordinary handle may be prevented from displacement golf Club Shaft by fOrIning the handle in tWO SeC- merely by the impact of the ball on the club face. tiOnS l2 and I3y the lOWer SeCtiOn I3 beiner de- A further object is to provide a club of the taehableabove nature which will be simple in construction, The Upper handle Section Y l2 iS adapted t0 be inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manipulate, rigidly held in alinenlent With the Shaft lllA by compact, ornamental in appearance, and very means of a laterally offset tubular bracememeioient and durable in use, ber I4 arranged parallel with the handle section `With these and other objects in view there l2 and shaft I0. The brace member I4 is con- 30 50' club for preventing the detachable handle from construction.

has been illustrated on the accompanying drawnested integrally with the upper gripping section ing, one form in which this invention may be I2 by a loop section'IS. The lower end IB of the conveniently embodied in practice. brace member is inclined forwardly and has a In the drawing: rigid connection with the upper end of the shaft Fig. 1 represents a side view in elevation of the l0, as by a welded point 6a- The brace member 35 improved practico golf club, I4 is spaced sufciently from the handle sections Fig. 2 is 'an enlarged longitudinal fragmentary I2 and I3 so as not to interfere with the free sectional view taken through the handle portion action 0f the players handsin swinging the club. of the same. The upper handle section I2 and the lower Fig, 3 is a, transverse Sectional view taken detachable section I3 are preferably covered with i0` through the handle portion dong the 1in@ 3 3 the usual leather windings I'I and I8 respectively,

of Fig. l, showing the stop ring in` "unlocked but it will be understood that other soft gripping position, y I materials may be employed if desired. l

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the In Order `'UO permit the handle Section I3 t0 be Stop ring in looked position, pulled out of alinementor completely away from 45 i Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the stop the shaft l0 in CaSe the player USeS tOO mush p ring on an enlarged scale. right hand, or other wise makes a faulty appli- Fig. 6 is a detail perspective View of an adjustcation ofiforce in the strokefsaid section I3 is deable attachment clip which may be applied to the tachably connected to vthe club by the following being accidentally detached when carried around The section I3 includeswa tubular blank 4ISI in a golf bag. having the same diameter as the tubular portion Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the club showof the handle section I2, and is provided at its ing the clip in operating position. upper and lower ends with a pair of bushings 20 55. This invention is an improvement over that and 2l which are adapted toft into the'upper 55" lFig. 2).

cient'dist'anceto engagethelower end of the.de

and lower ends respectively of said blank IS. The bushings 20 and 2| are provided with headed ends 20a and Zla respectively to provide shoulders for engaging the ends of the tubular blank I9 and also forming projecting anges for the ends of the leather winding I8 with which the handle of said bushings are lush.

The head 20a of the upper bushing 2l) is slightly domed to permit it to seat detachably in a cup-shaped socket 22 affixed to the lower open end of the upper tubular handle l2.

The lower bushing 2| is provided with a snapaction ball 23 having a slidable t in a cylindrical cage 24 located within said bushing 2 I, said ball being prevented from dropping out of said cage by an inwardly extending. annular rim embracing said ball at a line slightly below the center thereof, thus securely holding it in posi'- tion and at the same time permitting the ball.

to protrude downwardly slightly.

The ball 23 is adapted, normally, to seat in a concave' socket 25' formed in the headed, upper end 26 of a plug 2l iitted into the upper end of the' shaft l0. The plug 2:1 is supported and securedzin. the upper end'ofsaidshaft ill by means of.` a; transverse rivet 28; which is located below the bottom ofl thehead 26. of said plug 2li, leavingl a space 2.9.* for a purpose to be hereinafter described.V

'Iihe snap-actionball 23. isadapted to be pressed downwardly at. all times by means of an elongated. helical compression spring 3i, the lower endof which is in direct engagement with said-.ballz23; while the-upper end thereof is abutted against a spool shaped member 32 which is slidable.' within the upper end of the tubular handle-blank. I9; The. spool member 32 is provided with av depending, stud 33.- which projects` intogthe; upper end of, the spring 3i for holding iti in centralized: position.Y The downward move-- ment: oft-he spool member 321s limitedzby means of Aaipair, of. opposed nibs v3.4 struckinwardly from theA walls of ,the detachable handle tube I9.

In order to control thedegree of compression of the spring 3l and consequently the force with which the. ball 2.3pressesagainstthe socket 25,

provision. is: made: of" a headless set screw 35; which,iscthreadedlyfengaged in a central tapped.

hole. 3B formedlin the` upper bushing 20. 'Ihe lower end ot. the'set screw 355 engages against thev Stopv attachment In-casefit-isfdesired to-prevent the detachable handle-I Sifrombeing forced out of operating position by-thesl1ock of impact with theball, provision is madeofa stop-member 33v comprising any annular ring 39--having an upstanding finger dllformed-integraltherewith at the outer edge thereof;

The stopmember'' is rotatably mounted upon the body of the plug 21,' andthe ring 39 is positionedin the space 2S" previously referred to (see The nger 4D extends upwardly a suflitachable section I3', and when said nger isy at right .anglesto the. plane of .the offset brace mem- 755er berl4 land'in itheplaneof-r the swing,. itwill eifec.-

tively prevent the displacement of the same by the impact with the ball. (See Fig. 4)

A resilient undulated washer 39a is preferably located between the ring 3S and the top edge of the tubular shaft i to prevent wear and maintain a uniform resistance to turning of said stop member 38 (see Figs. 2 and '7).

Operation In the use of the improved practice golf club, herein disclosed, when it is desired to make a practice swing without striking at a golf ball, the player will' iirst twist the stop member 33 so that the nger lil will lie in the position at the underside ofthe club handle as shown in Figs. l and 3, in

the plane of the offset brace ili. The nger lil will then lie out of the path of the normal swing and will not interfere with the displacement of the indicator section i3 if a faulty stroke is made. If the swing of the club is properly controlled by the left hand to produce a smooth, even and rhythmical stroke, the club will remain intact through the entire swing. If; however, the pupil makes the swing in a jerky manner, or exerts too much force with his right hand, the detachable section i3 will become disengaged from the shaft iii and will thus indicate to the player that his swing has been faulty.

By reason of the snap engagement of the ball 23 with the socketed plug 2l, the detached section I3 may be readily replaced and the club will then be ready for another stroke.

When it is desired to use the practice club in the manner of a regular club for striking and driving a golf ball, the stop member 53 will be twisted about the shaft through an angle of Sil degrees until the linger #lil lies in the swinging plane of the club, as shown in Fig. Il, on the saine side of the shaft it as the striking face of the club head. With the stop member 33 in this position, it is quite obvious that it will be impossible for the lower gripping section i3 to become detached from the handle i2 by the shock of the club head in hitting the ball. It will thus be possible to use the club when so adjusted -for playing in the usual way.

In order to hold the detachable section i3 from being accidentally knocked out of position while the club is being carried in the golf bag, provision is made of a split resilient metal clip lil (see Fig. 6), having a pair of opposed curved arms 42 and i3 for slidably and detachably embracing the upper end of the shaft lil. The clip iii also has a pair of upstanding outwardly offset fingers lli and "i for cooperating with the stop ring 38 in preventing displacement of the lower end of the detachable section i3, as shown in Fig. 7 in operating position. When using the club, the clip lil may be readily slipped downwardly to the dotted line unobstructing position as shown in Fig. 7.

While the operation oi the club has been herein described for use by a right-handed player, it will be understood that the invention is equally useful for left-handed players, it being merely necessary to change the club head without changing the handle or gripping section.

While there has been disclosed in this specication one form in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that this form shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to thespecinc disclosure but may be modiied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all modiflcations and embodiments coming within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is

1. In a practice golf club, a shaft having a head and a handle, said handle having a displaceable section therein adapted to be grasped by the lower hand of the player and to be displaced fromalinement with the remainder of the handle and the shaft in case the player holds back too much with his lower hand in the stroke of a practice swing, and means on said shaft for selectively preventing the displacement of said section by the impact of the club with a ball. f

2. In a practice golf club, a shaft, a handle at the upper end thereof, an offset bracket connected to the upper end of said handle for holding it in alinement with said shaft, said handle having a f removable indicating lower section normally forming a part thereof but adapted to become displaced therefrom when the player makes a faulty application of force to the club, and means for selectively locking said removable section against displacement from said handle and said shaft.

3. In a practice golf club a shaft, a handle spaced therefrom, an offset bracket for holding said handle in alinement with said shaft, said handle having a lower indicating gripping section detachably held in position and adapted to be moved out of normal position from alinement with said shaft by a faulty application `of force in making the stroke of al practice swing, and means for holding said 'gripping section against movement out of alined position by the impact of a ball with said club.

4. In a practice golf club, a shaft having an offset upper portion, a handle comprising a twopart gripping section, the upper section thereof being connected by a looped member to the offset upper portion ofsaid shaft, the lower gripping section being adapted to be displaced from alinement with said upper gripping section to indicate a faulty application` of force in the stroke by the lower hand of the player, and means for selectively holding said indicating section against displacement bythe mere impact of the ball with the club;

5. In a' practice golf club, a` shaft provided with an upper left hand" gripping portion having a cupped socket in its lower end, an offset bracket connected at its lower end to said shaft and at its upper end to said left-hand gripping portion to hold it in alinement with said shaft, a displaceable right-hand indicating gripping portion having a pair of headed bushings located in opposite ends thereof, the upper bushing having a. domed head for normally seating in said cupped socket, a spring-pressed ball slidably fitted in the bottom of said lower bushing and adapted to project beyond the headed end of said bushing, and a plug fitted into the upper end of said shaft and having a socket for receiving said ball, said right-hand gripping portion being adapted to become laterally displaced from the remainder of said shaft and the upper gripping portion to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his right hand.

6. In a practice golf club, a shaft provided with an upper left-hand gripping portion having a cupped socket in its lower end, an offset bracket connected at its lower end to said shaft and at its uper end to said left-hand gripping portion to hold it in alinement with said shaft, a displaceable right-hand indicating gripping portion having a pair of headed bushings located in opposite ends thereof, the upper bushing having a domed head for normally seating in said cupped socket, a spring-pressed ball slidably tted in the bottom of said lower bushing and adapted to project beyond the headed end of said bushing, a plug fitted into the upper end of said shaft and having a socket for receiving said ball, said righthand gripping portion being adapted to become laterally displaced from the remainder of said shaft and the upper gripping portion to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his right hand, and means on said shaft for holdingv said lower gripping portion against being removed by the` impact with a golf ball.

7. In a practice golf club, a. shaft provided with an upper left-hand gripping portionhaving a cupped socket in its lower end, an offset bracket connected at its lower end to said shaft and at,

its upper end to said left-hand gripping portion to hold it in alineinent with said shaft, a displaceable right-hand indicating gripping portion having a pair of headed bushings located in opposite ends thereof, the upper bushing having a domed head for normally seating in saidcupped socket, a spring pressed ball slidably fitted in the bottom of said lower bushing and adapted to pro-- ject beyond the headed end of said bushing, a plug tted into the upper end of said shaft and having a socket for receiving said ball, said righthand gripping portion being adapted to become laterally displaced from the remainder of said.

shaft and the upper gripping portion to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his right hand, and means in said displaceable grip ping portion for adjusting the spring pressure on said ball to control the force necessary to cause displacement of said indicating portion. -v

8.A In a practice golf club, a shaft provided with an upper left-hand gripping portion having a cupped socket 'in its lower end, an offset bracket connected at its lower end to said shaft and at its upper end to said left-hand gripping portion to hold it in alinement with said shaft, a displaceable right-hand indicating gripping portion having a pair of headed bushings'located in opposite ends thereof, the upper bushing having a domed head for normally seating in said cupped socket, a spring-pressed ball slidably tted in the bottom of said lower bushing and adapted to project beyond the headed end of said bushving, a plug fitted into the upper end of said shaft and having a socket for receiving said ball, said right-hand gripping portion being adapted to become laterally displaced from the remainder of said shaft and the upper gripping portion to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his right hand, means in said displaceable gripping portion for adjusting the spring pressure on said ball to control the force necessary to cause displacemet of said indicating portion, and means on said shaft for selectively preventing displacement of said gripping portion by the shock of impact with a golf ball.

9. In a practice golf club, a shaft provided with an upper left-hand gripping portion, an offset bracket connected at its lower end to said shaft and at its upper end to said left-hand gripping portion to hold it in alinement with said shaft, a displaceable right-hand indicating gripping portion below said left-hand gripping portion, said right-hand gripping portion being adapted to become laterally displaced from the remainder of said shaft and the upper gripping portion to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his. right hand, rotatable means to selectively prevent displacement of said lower gripping portion merely by the impact with a ball by said club, said shaft having friction means on its upper end to maintain a uniform resistance to turning of said rotatable means.

10. In a practice golf club, a shaft provided with an upper left-hand gripping portion, an offset bracket connected at its lower end to said shaft and at its upper end to said left-hand gripping portion to hold it in alinement with said shaft, a displaceable right-hand indicating gripping portion below said left-hand gripping portion, said right-hand gripping portion being adapted to become laterally displaced from the remainder of said shaft and the upper gripping portion to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his right hand, rotatable means to selectively prevent displacement of said lower gripping portion merely by the impact with a ball by said club, said shaft having-an undulated resilient washer on its upper end to maintain a uniform resistance to turning of said rotatable means.

11. In a practice golf club, a shaft having the upper portio-n thereof offset therefrom, a handle having its upper portion integral with said upper offset portion and connected therewith by a curved loop, the lower portion of said handle being detachably held in alinement with the lower portion of said shaft and adapted to become displaced from normal alined position when a faulty application of force is made on the swing of a practice stroke, without striking a ball,

C and means to hold said lower handle portion in normal position to permit an actual stroke to be made against a ball without displacing said lower handle portion merely by the impact ball.

12. In a practice golf club, a shaft having a head and a handle, said handle having a displaceable portion therein which is adapted to be displaced from alinement with the remainder of the handle and the shaft in case the player makes a faulty application of force to the handle l in swinging the club, and means for selectively holding said portion against displacement merely by the shock of impact with said ball.

' 13. In a practice golf club, a shaft having a head at its lower end and a gripping handle f at its upper end, said handle having a displaceable section adapted to be grasped by the right hand of 'the player and to be displaced from alinement with the remainder of the handle and the shaft.l to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his right hand vin making the stroke of a practicev swing; and` means on said shaft for selectively locking. said displaceablesection from being accidentally moved out of position when the club is out of use.

14. In a practice golf club, a shaft having av head at its lower end: 'and a gripping handle at its upper end-, said handle having a displaceablesection adapted to be; grasped by the right hand of the player and to be displaced from alinement with the remainder of the handle and the shaft to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his right hand in making the stroke,

ci a practice swing, and means detachably secured onv said shaft for selectively locking said displaceable section from being accidentally moved out of position when the club is out of use.

15. In a practice golf club, a shaft having a head at its lower end and a gripping handle at its upper end, said handle having a displaceable section adapted to b e grasped by the right hand of the lplayer and tojbe displaced from alinenient with the remainder of the handle and the shaft to indicate when the player exerts too much force with his right hand in making the stroke of a practice swing, andl means slidably and detachably secured on said shaft for selectively locking said displaceable-section trombeing accidentally moved out of position when the club is out of use.

16. In a practice golf club, a shaft provided with an upper left-hand gripping portion, an offset bracket Vconnected at its lower ,end to said shaft and at its upper end to saidleft-hand gripping portion to hold it in alinementwith said shaft, l a displaceable right-hand indicating gripping portion below said left-hand gripping portion, `said right-hand gripping portion being adapted tc become laterally displaced from the remainderl of saidshaft and the upper gripping portion to indicate when lthe player exertstoo much force with his right hand, rotatable means to selectively prevent,v displacement of said lower gripping'portio'n merely by the impactv with avball byr said club, ,saidA rotatable means comprising an annular ring mounted on the upper endy of said shaft 'and having Aan upwardly projectingjfinger adapted to be selectively moved into the plane traversed by the club in making the stroke.

' CHARLES H. GRELLE. 

